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more fortitude and faith and prudent zeal! The Lord forgive my enemies, and
make them sincere and humble followers of the Lamb! 489 I thank the Lord for
every prudent step, that I did advise the doctor last Sunday evening, when also the
event showed that my body was much indisposed at the time of the intended
catechism. Lord! I am Thine, and do Thou remember me in mercy! Thy loving
kindness is better than life! I commit my all unto Thy fatherly care and Holy
Protection, now and evermore. Pardon my shortcomings and accept of my
unworthy services and gratitude. Give me life, health, and strength to finish the
translation of Alberthoma, and may catecheses be multiplied, and prove a real
blessing, for Christ’s sake. Amen.
10. Blessed be the God of all consolation. Yesterday evening my dear colleague
brought me a packet with letters from my family and friends in Holland,
forwarded by my dear brother Dr. Livingston. Though at that time much deserted
on account of my many infirmities, I was refreshed by the agreeable contents of
the several letters, all breathing love and affectionate remembrance of poor,
unworthy me and mine, and also relating the health and happiness of almost every
one of my nearest relatives and best friends who are still alive. All very well,
except my old mother, 490 whom I humbly pray the Lord of His infinite mercy may
pity and restore to former strength and health, preparing her more and more for a
blessed eternity. I am exceedingly satisfied with the friendly and pious letter of
my brother-in-law the Reverend Mr. Van Loenen, minister at Dalen in Drenthe,
the same congregation where my grandfather E. Reiners sowed the seed and was
blessed in the gospel ministry, and my mother living in his family with her only
daughter. 491 I humbly hope they both may be taught from on High, and become
joint heirs of the grace and salvation which is in Jesus Christ, and the letters of my
three brothers are all equally full of tender affection and unchangeable love. May
the Lord remember every one of them and their families in mercy, and grant us all
a saving interest in His love and Communion through O. L. Jesus Christ. Oh, may
the blessed Jesus pity me and my family, and cause us to seek and serve the Lord
with one accord, and with peace and joy in believing! Accept, o Father of mercy,
graciously accept of me and this my gratitude for this particular instance of Thy
kindness unto me, and change my sorrows and mourning into songs of praises.
Restore health, and renew my strength in and for the service of Thy Sanctuary.
Hear the prayers of Thy people, and bless our land and the assembly in this city,
that they may meet and prosper in their resolves and transactions, for Christ’s
sake. Amen. Amen.
14. This morning I sent letters to Holland in answer to them of my three brothers,
my brother-in-law and honored niece, the widow of Colonel De Scheffer. In my
letter to brother G. H. at Amsterdam I promised to settle with the Santvoords and
requested him to pay Dr. Livingston’s bill to Mr. Van Rensselaer, and to send me
over 12 of their ½ dozen black stockings, and also the Boekzalen with Pictet’s
489 Revelation 14:4. Jesus as Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God.
490 Westerlo’s stepmother, Maria Huising, who married his widowed father in 1752.
491 Westerlo’s half-sister Hillegonda Westerlo (1754-1841), married to Dominee Jacobus Van Loenen
(1760-1812).
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